Able Quote by Rob Kall
“I've never seen Barack Obama as a progressive, just someone a bit more centrist, and not as right leaning as Hillary Clinton. Obama may make friends with a lot of K street lobbyists. The progressive blogosphere may be able to raise enough of a cry to persuade him that he doesn't need them, that he can get by with a few million people on the net financially supporting him.”
About This Quote
The speaker doubts Obama's progressive credentials, seeing him as centrist, and suggests grassroots pressure could push him away from establishment influences.
In simple terms: Obama is seen as centrist, not progressive; grassroots could influence him.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of organized online activism.
Themes
politics
ideology
grassroots activism
media perception
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
opinion
political commentary
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- policy advocacy
- media analysis
- public opinion shaping
Key Concepts
centristism
progressive labeling
influence of lobbyists
online fundraising
Questions to Reflect On
- How can online activists overcome institutional barriers?
- What evidence supports the claim about Obama's stance?
A Different Perspective
Grassroots influence may be limited by entrenched party structures and funding disparities.
![“I've heard [Bernie] Sanders comments, and it's really caused me to wonder who's left in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Under his definition, [Barack] Obama is not progressive because he took donations from Wall Street; [Joe] Biden is not progressive because she supported Keystone…” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/559/hillary-clinton-51_barack_i-ve-heard-bernie-sanders-comments-and-i_1093867.jpg)
